Director of Collections and Programming

• Position Type Full Time

Position Summary & Objectives

The Director of Collections and Programming is responsible for the appropriate care and exhibition of over 60,000 artifacts in the collection. The director will use artifacts and interpret history to build community engagement while diversifying audiences, and building new relationships regionally and nationally on behalf of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS). This is an active, hands-on position requiring flexibility and the ability to manage several projects simultaneously. The director will work cross-departmentally with HBMS staff and volunteers to support the development and implementation of innovative exhibitions and programs to facilitate community engagement and grow (HBMS) audience

The main objective for this position is to create compelling visitor experiences that ultimately:

• Contribute to and support HBMS’s strategic plan, annual priorities, and institutional initiatives
• Lead the effort to identify, record, and organize the HBMS holdings
• Foster community engagement with members and diverse audiences
• Enhance donor relationships to create opportunities for support of the collections and acquisition of new artifacts
• Convey a passion for the HBMS mission and promote the museum throughout the community
• Work collaboratively to prepare our organization for increased tourism and international visitors

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, install, and maintain long-term and temporary exhibitions in a manner that provides a positive and compelling visitor experience
• Manage and care for the collections of Historic Bethlehem Partnership t/a Historic Bethlehem Museum & Sites and its four Affiliates according to the Collections Management Policy
  • Register and track all acquisitions, deaccessions and loans
  • Provide appropriate care and exhibition of artifacts in the collection and on loan
  • Maintain collections database (PastPerfect)
  • Oversee restoration of artifacts as required
• Procure donations to and support for the collections, including purchasing mission-related artifacts
• Conduct staff and volunteer training on museum collections and events so they are equipped to provide a positive and compelling visitor experience
• Manage the research library and archives and develop ways to make the collection more accessible to the public
• Manage and provide leadership to site management personnel to increase visitor traffic and educational tours, create greater awareness of our mission in the community, and support special events/donor activities
• Oversee the implementation of the museums’ education and public programs and ensure that these programs are relevant to the community and museum visitors and that they align with the HBMS Strategic Plan
• Seek opportunities to share the HBMS mission with the community through speaking engagements
• Expand collaborative relationships with a wide range of community partners that align with the HBMS Strategic Plan
• Collaborate with and assist the public relations/marketing staff members on exhibit and mission-related opportunities through contributions to e-blasts, press releases, and other marketing efforts
• Supervise volunteers and interns working on curatorial tasks, research library and exhibitions

Required Knowledge and Experience

• Advanced degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Decorative Arts, or a related field
• Minimum four years’ relevant experience in a history museum setting
• Proficiency with InDesign and Photoshop software and Past Perfect or similar collections management database
• Experience managing exhibitions and event programming
• Knowledge of artifact care, preservation and restoration
• Experience in project management working with volunteers, staff, and contracted workers

Key Success Factor

• Strong relationship building skills to establish and maintain positive working relationships with internal colleagues, volunteers, donors, board members visitors and community partners
• Superior written communication skills to create exhibit panels that are comprehensible to a wide demographic
• Exceptional oral communication skills to professionally represent HBMS and convey the organization’s mission at speaking engagements and other community events
• High level of flexibility and collaboration to effectively work in a small team environment
• Exceptional organizational abilities to successfully plan and flawlessly execute multiple simultaneous exhibits, events and programs
• Superior leadership skills to train, coach and motivate a team that delivers a first class visitor experience

Reporting Relationships

The Director of Collections and Programming reports to VP/Managing Director

This position is responsible for the supervision of a range of 3-10 individuals including site managers, volunteers and interns.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Duties of this position are performed in an office setting as well as at various HBMS historical sites. The position frequently requires standing, sitting, bending, walking and climbing stairs. The position also requires the ability to lift or carry items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time.

HBMS considers individuals for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other legally protected status.